Cebu City, Philippines
IT Park runs 24/7 on call center hours with constant security presence and lighting. It's safe and English-speaking but pricey and doesn't feel particularly Filipino - more like a generic tech district.
This 27-hectare business park runs on BPO industry hours, meaning it's busy and lit up even at 2am. You'll see call center workers grabbing late-night meals between shifts, so eating alone at any hour looks completely normal. Security guards at every building, good lighting, constant foot traffic. English is the default language since everyone works international customer service jobs. Downsides: doesn't feel very Filipino - could be any tech hub anywhere. Prices run higher than local areas. Sugbo Mercado night food market (Tuesday-Sunday, 4pm-midnight) has dozens of stalls, and there are 24-hour cafes where laptop work is standard.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
ExcellentHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
ExcellentEmergency Services
ExcellentEvening Venues
ExcellentSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
Excellent"Felt completely safe walking around at midnight after dinner"
"Lots of other solo diners working on laptops in cafes"
"More expensive but worth it for the safety and convenience"
"Doesn't feel very Filipino but perfect if safety is your priority"
"Security guards everywhere made me feel protected"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
The upscale commercial district with Ayala mall, international restaurants, and business hotels. Very safe day and night, everyone speaks English, but expensive and feels like generic Asian mall districts everywhere.
Beach resort island 20 minutes from the city. Resort areas are safe with private security but you're in a bubble - limited transport and not much outside the resort zones. Good for beach time, not for exploring.
Where expat families and locals actually live - suburban, safe, cheaper than tourist areas. Good for longer stays if you want local life, but you'll taxi everywhere since it's residential.
Help other women stay safe in IT Park (Lahug)
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.